5 stars ready to 'shake up' AFF Cup 2026: From Thom Haye to Nguyễn Xuân Son

Thom Haye, Nguyễn Xuân Son, and Sarach Yooyen are anticipated to become the game-changers at AFF Cup 2026.

Many teams have announced their squads preparing for the 2026 AFF Cup. Among the called-up names, there are numerous stars that fans can look forward to seeing perform in this year's tournament.

All teams participating in the 2026 AFF Cup are unable to field their strongest lineups. This is because the Southeast Asian championship is held outside the FIFA match calendar, leading many clubs to refuse releasing their players.

Nevertheless, some stars will still be present at the tournament. They are not only experienced local players but also naturalized ones.

These stars are believed to have a significant impact on their respective teams. They possess the skill and experience to create a difference. Below are the standout names selected by Bola.com selected.

Sarach Yooyen (Thailand)

The Thai national team once again brings to the 2026 AFF Cup a decorated veteran, Sarach Yooyen. This 34-year-old midfielder boasts an impressive track record in the competition.

Currently, he is the most capped player in the "War Elephants" squad. Since his debut in November 2013, the BG Pathum United midfielder has made 83 appearances for Thailand, scoring 7 goals and providing 6 assists.

Sarach's most remarkable feature is his collection of four AFF Cup titles, won in 2014, 2016, 2020, and 2022. This is an achievement that almost no other player at the 2026 AFF Cup can match.

Nguyễn Xuân Son (Vietnam national team)

At the 2026 AFF Cup, the Vietnam national team has called up many experienced players like Nguyễn Quang Hải and Nguyễn Hoàng Đức. However, the most eagerly awaited name remains Nguyễn Xuân Son.

This naturalized striker of Brazilian origin has recently become the top attacking spearhead for the "Golden Star Warriors". The player, whose full name is Rafaelson Bezerra Fernandes, has scored 11 goals in 9 matches.

This will be Xuân Son's second time playing in the AFF Cup. Previously, he contributed to Vietnam's championship at the 2024 AFF Cup. In that tournament, he scored 7 goals and provided 2 assists in just 5 matches.

Paulo Josue (Malaysia)

After being embroiled in a scandal involving forged documents of naturalized players, the Malaysian national team was forced to revert to using familiar faces as the core for the 2026 AFF Cup. One notable name is Paulo Josue.

During the period when the ineligible naturalized players were still active, Josue often lost his starting spot in the "Malayan Tigers" lineup. Only after those players were suspended by FIFA did he get a chance to return.

To date, Josue is one of the most capped players for the Malaysian national team. Since his debut in March 2023, the Brazilian striker has made 30 appearances and scored 9 goals.

Harhys Stewart (Singapore)

One of the emerging stars of the Singapore national team in recent years is Harhys Stewart. The 25-year-old midfielder is expected to be a key figure for "The Lions" at the 2026 AFF Cup.

Currently, Stewart is the most valuable player in the Singapore squad. This is no surprise given that the player, born on March 20, 2001, is plying his trade in the Thai League with Chiangrai United.

Over the past two years, he has proven his quality as a core player for Singapore, including helping the team qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup. Stewart is one of the names to watch at the 2026 AFF Cup.

Thom Haye (Indonesia)

After missing several international matches for the Indonesian national team due to an AFC suspension, Thom Haye will finally return to action at the 2026 AFF Cup.

This tournament also marks the first time the Netherlands-born midfielder works under the guidance of coach John Herdman. Therefore, Thom Haye's role in the new strategist's system is something to look forward to.

Notably, this will also be the first time the 31-year-old midfielder participates in the AFF Cup. There are plenty of reasons to believe that the Persib Bandung player can explode and make a name for himself in this Southeast Asian national team championship.